Residents have their say on future of town

Horsham residents have called for more to be done to attract visitors and keep young people entertained.
Imagine Horsham exhibitionImagine Horsham exhibition
Imagine Horsham exhibition

Horsham Blueprint held an exhibition in Swan Walk shopping centre earlier this month asking people to have their say on what they thought was important in the town.

The forum, supported by the County Times, was approved by Horsham District Council in June last year and is in charge of creating a Horsham Neighbourhood Plan for the parts of the town not under the remit of a parish council.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hundreds of people attended the Imagine Horsham workshop, held in the centre between April 8 to April 10, and feedback showed although many were happy with some elements of the town there were areas which could be improved.

Imagine Horsham event held by the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood  ForumImagine Horsham event held by the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood  Forum
Imagine Horsham event held by the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood Forum

Frances Haigh, chairman of Horsham Blueprint, said: “We were delighted with the response we had to our event in Swan Walk.

“We had hundreds of comments on cards and response sheets which will add to our evidence.”

More than 200 people took part in a survey on the day.

The survey found 80 per cent of people thought Horsham was welcoming to visitors, however, 74 per cent felt more should be done to promote the town.

Imagine Horsham event held by the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood  ForumImagine Horsham event held by the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood  Forum
Imagine Horsham event held by the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood Forum
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Worries were raised about the increase in parking charges with 62 per cent saying they would shop elsewhere or on-line, although 56 per cent said they may change to travelling on foot, bike or bus.

The survey also found 75 per cent of people felt there was not enough activities for young people in the town.

About 78 per cent of people said they wanted more to be done to make it easier to work from home and almost 80 per cent of people also felt there were not enough public toilets in the town.

Mrs Haigh said: “Our next step is to produce an initial draft of the Neighbourhood Plan. An over-whelming wish for the town is that Horsham keeps its ‘market town’ feel, with its heritage, friendliness and strong sense of community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Accessibility is very important for all ages, with many people wishing for improved cycling paths, crossing places and bus routes.  

“Another high priority is keeping, protecting and enhancing our green spaces and planting.”

To see the full results of the survey visit www.horshamblueprint.org

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.